Graft cases against Zardari in Swiss courts: SC decision will be final, says NAB chief

FAZAL SHER

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Admiral Fasih Bukhari (Retd) on Wednesday said although President Asif Zardari enjoys complete immunity under the constitution of Pakistan and international law, the apex court decision regarding graft cases against him in Swiss courts will be final.

“The NAB has written a letter to Swiss authorities in 2010 but the Supreme Court has directed the NAB that the government itself should write letter to the Swiss courts…but as far as my understanding is concerned, the President enjoys full immunity under the constitution of Pakistan as well as international law,” he added.

However, he maintained that if SC gives a ruling over the immunity issue, it will stand “final,” Fasih told a press briefing at NAB HQ.

He said that documents of Swiss cases against President Zardari are available with the NAB. 

Bukhari said the NAB has proposed to the Interior Ministry to place the names of some 14 persons, including three former federal ministers, on Exit Control List (ECL) in connection with Rental Power Plants (RPPs) scam. The NAB is working very seriously over RPPs scam and will take action against the accused found guilty after investigators complete the inquiry, he said.

He said the NAB has imposed a ban on transfer of property and accounts of IPP companies involved in the scam. “We are collecting evidence, agreements, hired Charted Accountants to take appropriate action,” he maintained.

Bukhari said he was entitled to apply for residential plot in Islamabad upon his retirement and rejected the notion that the plot was being offered for saving the skin of any corrupt in the government. “I have nothing to hide and I am ready to place myself before the public as I have done no corruption,” he added.

He sad that he did not apply for a plot upon his retirement as Naval Chief, as “I didn’t want to request the then president Pervez Musharraf. Now I have applied for what I am entitled to.”

The NAB chairman said that his top priority was to make the bureau more effective and transparent organization. “I have to raise manpower for the NAB and after the government approval, recruitment for 300 investigation officers have been started to deal with all ministries and institutions.